LAGOS — The political atmosphere in Nigeria is heating up following the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the new platform for a broad opposition coalition aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The development has rekindled political debate across the country, raising critical questions about the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
The coalition, unveiled on July 3, includes prominent political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark (interim national chairman), and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (interim national secretary). Also in the alliance are former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Speaking at the unveiling, Mark described the coalition as a rescue mission aimed at halting Nigeria’s drift toward authoritarianism. He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of eroding democratic institutions and fostering a creeping civilian dictatorship, citing worsening poverty, hunger, and insecurity.
Aregbesola, addressing supporters in Lagos, urged citizens to interrogate economic issues like inflation and the rising cost of living. He insisted that the ADC represented not just a new political party but a credible alternative shaped by the country’s socio-economic failures.
However, political observers are questioning whether this coalition truly offers fresh solutions. Many of the coalition’s leaders are former APC or PDP stalwarts—politicians who have held significant power in previous administrations.
This has led to skepticism over their motives. Some Nigerians wonder whether the move is driven by genuine concern for the nation or by a desire to return to the corridors of power after losing influence in recent years.
Prominent social commentator Senator Shehu Sani voiced this concern, saying the public should ask whether the same political elites who contributed to Nigeria’s problems can now be trusted to solve them. He argued that many figures in the coalition were key players in both the PDP and APC, adding that these individuals failed to transform the country when they had the opportunity.
Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo shared similar concerns, warning Nigerians not to expect originality or strategic solutions from the coalition. He noted that political campaigns in Nigeria have consistently revolved around the same themes—tackling insecurity, hunger, and infrastructure—with little change in approach over the years.
The APC itself rose to power in 2015 by capitalizing on widespread dissatisfaction with the PDP, particularly over insecurity and economic hardship. Muhammadu Buhari’s candidacy was framed around promises to end Boko Haram insurgency and restore order. Yet, insecurity worsened under his administration, morphing into widespread banditry, kidnapping, and economic instability.
Now under President Tinubu, the APC faces similar criticism—rising inflation, a high cost of living, and continued insecurity. Tinubu’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and currency unification, have led to widespread hardship, which the opposition is now leveraging as a rallying point.
But whether the ADC coalition can effectively harness public discontent remains to be seen. Key questions persist: Will voters trust the same political figures who were part of previous administrations? Can the opposition present a coherent, unified agenda that resonates with Nigerians beyond criticism of the APC? Will President Tinubu manage to convince Nigerians that his reforms are painful but necessary, and that patience will yield long-term gains?
As the 2027 elections approach, both the ruling party and the opposition coalition will have to work hard to earn public trust. For the ADC alliance, success may depend less on rhetoric and more on offering a convincing alternative vision, backed by demonstrable plans and credible leadership.
For now, the pendulum is swinging, but where it will land remains uncertain.
